Honey

[Uncle Wayne]

Very interesting about the different color honey this year. Notice the difference in these two jars of honey taken from two different hives but located in the same field. Both hives harvested at the same time but are separated by about 100 yards. They both have a pleasant taste but the dark may be just a little sweeter. The lighter honey come from a hive surrounded by Crimson Clover while the other hive is right on the edge of the clover and very close to the woods. I guess this proves that bees, like us, have different tastes when it comes to food.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Very interesting about the different color honey this year. Notice the difference in these two jars of honey taken from two different hives but located in the same field. Both hives harvested at the same time but are separated by about 100 yards. They both have a pleasant taste but the dark may be just a little sweeter. The lighter honey come from a hive surrounded by Crimson Clover while the other hive is right on the edge of the clover and very close to the woods. I guess this proves that bees, like us, have different tastes when it comes to food. View attachment 270033

I suppose it could mean that bees are territorial, or that they frequent sources that are convenient. In any case, it is an interesting phenomenon.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Bees will focus in on a specific bloom, giving different colors, sometimes you can see the difference in color from frame-to-frame or sometimes within the same frame. Different hives also focus on different plants sometimes. Darker honey is referred to as "gourmet honey". It has more flavor (not always a better flavor, depending on the plant it came from) and also has about 17 times more antioxidants and minerals, upping the nutritional value. In my neck of the woods, the dark honey usually comes from California Buckwheat. I charge a couple bucks more per pint for the gourmet honey and people can't get enough. It tends to have a slight molasses taste.

These came from the same hive, lightest in June, darker in July, darkest end of August.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

Thanks for sharing your photo troutsqueezer. Thanks for the tip about "gourmet honey" I'll have to adjust my prices!